News that face coverings will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from July 24 has sparked a huge debate.

Most Kent shoppers have welcomed the news that people who fail to wear a covering could be fined £100 - but have also demanded to know why it is not coming into effect immediately.

Katya Fowler from KMTV reports.

Others have vowed to only shop online for as long as face coverings remain compulsory.

Shoppers and shop workers alike have weighed into the debate on our Facebook page.

Graeme de Preux said: "For all those that are saying they can't wear one because they have " breathing difficulties" ...you WILL have severe breathing difficulties if you get Covid 19. Why are you not scared of that rather than some fabric? I really don't get it. Wear the damn mask to protect yourself, your friends and family, me and my family."

Julia Marks added: "I'm wondering how strict the shops will be, I know with dentists etc that you're not allowed in without a mask. It's simple really, stop moaning and go with it. If you don't like it that badly then shop on line. Can't believe the state people are getting in over a mask."

Annie Sutherland questioned why it was not coming into effect immedately.

"Why the heck if we have to wear them in all shops is it not being enforced from tomorrow, why are we waiting another two weeks? I also expect all the staff working in the shops to wear them too so they protect the customers just as we wear a mask to protect them and everyone else."

Many shop workers also reacted to the news.

Angela Christie said: "I work in food retail, and am hard of hearing which sometimes proves difficult. But I'm certainly not going to challenge those customers that choose not to wear mask, when they can't even follow the arrows marking out the one way! Nor can they understand the huge sign one out one in!! Not to mention spatial awareness."

Many have questioned why coverings are compulsory in shops but not gyms.

Sarah Elliott said: "So we can go to the pub and restaurant which I have in the last week, send kids back to school , open gyms, have crowds on beaches for the last five or more weeks but now after all this need a mask to go food shopping."

Amy Barns added: "So someone has to wear a mask popping to Tesco but can sit in the pub all.day drinking with no face mask. Bloody stupid - masks everywhere or don't both, no point in half measures."

Yesterday we sent reporter Sophie Bird into Chatham town centre to see how many people were already wearing masks.

She found dozens were - but many hundreds more were not.

Read more: Face coverings - your questions answered.